Since 2010, A Positive Step of Monroe County, a non-profit organization that serves some of Monroe County’s highest risk kids and their families, has partnered with the city of Key West to provide paid summer jobs in city departments for Key West High School students aged 16 and up.
“This program was designed to serve a number of beneficial functions,” said Billy Davis, APSMC founder and executive director. “For some of the teens it can be a valuable motivational vehicle for breaking old patterns of low expectations. There’s the important work and social skills learned while on the job in a professional environment. Camaraderie and compromise. Plus, some of our participants contribute to the family budget, so it’s a positive and empowering coming-of-age experience for them.”
Educator Lynne Casamayor guides and oversees the program for APSMC, starting with a week-long intern orientation which covers topics such as tax preparation, substance abuse awareness, college planning and job interview strategies, as well as the city’s code of ethics, social media policies, and work dress codes.
This summer, from May 27 through July 27, 18 students have been employed in six city departments: Christopher Hardman, Vanesa Merival, and Josue Thanus in the fire department’s emergency medical services; jamel bernard in utilities/geographic information systems (GIS); Shane Miller and Jefferny Pierre in transportation; Milodjina Pierrilus with the KWPD; Jerven Louis and Dumel Voltaire in the multimodal transportation area of the engineering department; and Tamia Stevens, Gabriel Cervantes, Rasul Cooper, Gionni Fernandez, Zaikee Lopez, Zion Parker, Josue Quiche, Shae Smith Jr., and Benjamin Thene at the Key West City Cemetery.
Milodjina Pierrilus, 17, worked in the police department’s property and evidence department with supervisor Megan Wilcox. Pierrilus said her responsibilities involved going through evidence boxes and helping file inventory and inventory control. “It was good seeing and learning about the different types of evidence,” she said, adding that she also participated in ride-alongs with officers and experienced radar speed checks and license plate searches for outstanding warrants.
“It’s been such a wonderful experience having our three student interns, Christopher, Josue and Vanesa this summer,” said Fire Department EMS coordinator Anissa Balbi. “They brought a great energy to our department and were very enthusiastic about learning.”
According to Davis, the cost of running the “Idle Hands” program is about $100,000 annually. Each year, the city provides $35,000 to help cover the student employees’ pay, and APSMC raises the balance via an ongoing series of fundraisers, such as the annual holiday season “Rudolph Red Nose 5K,” and donations from individuals, clubs and businesses.
“We are extremely appreciative of our supporters who recognize the program’s value and who contribute to its success,” said Davis, “and that includes the city department directors who are also incredible mentors and role models. Whether the students go on to college, or directly into full-time working life, they have benefited from the time spent in an environment where the adults are supportive of their growth and invested in their success. APSMC also deeply appreciates our partnership with the City of Key West and with Key West High School, who provides space for our job readiness program, lunch for the students, and whose staff helps to identify eligible participants each year,” Davis said.
More information is at apsmc.org or from Davis at 305-304-1969 or APSMCCRP@aol.com.
